A heartless burglar ransacked a home in Broadstairs and stole the medals of a war hero.

But KentOnline can reveal that when the raid took place, thieving Richard Line could have been locked away in prison.

He had been jailed in 2012 for four years for handling stolen goods – but appeal court judges decided to slash that by 25 per cent, and he walked out after serving half of the sentence.

Judge Simon James noted: “So if his sentence had not been varied on appeal he would not have been at liberty to commit these burglaries.

“I am sure that’s comforting for the homeowners who were attacked.”

In the past two decades the professional thief has received sentences totalling 20 years.

But because of sentencing rules, the 50-year-old crook – with a criminal record containing 112 offences dating back to 1977 – has often been released early, only to then carry on pilfering.

Now Line, of West Dumpton Lane, Ramsgate has been given a seven-year stretch after admitting three burglary offences.

The judge said: “It seems to me that the hard-working people of Thanet are entitled to look to the court to impose significant and real punishment which adequately reflects the misery and heartache that offences like these cause.”

“You have obviously made a conscious decision to make burglary a career" - Judge Simon James

Charges against his two sons, Stephen and Jordan – who both denied being involved – were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service just as a trial was about to begin

Canterbury Crown Court heard how on February 13 Line broke into a house in Salisbury Avenue in Broadstairs after the homeowners had left.

When the family returned later that day they discovered drawers emptied, and watches worth £320, a £1,000 gold necklace, a portable DVD player and £140 from a purse missing.

But the judge heard he had also swiped four Second World War campaign medals awarded to the father of owner Diana Cave.

After being arrested and bailed, Line broke into houses near Canterbury, confronting a 14-year-old boy and stealing £5 from another teenager.

The judge told Line: “You have obviously made a conscious decision to make burglary a career.

“I can’t help but note that had your last sentence not been reduced on appeal it is unlikely you would have been at liberty and able to commit these new offences.”